Program Note
CHOI Min Sik’s portrayal of Min-ki in Happy End presented a new perspective on the actor’s numerous personas typified by his classical acting style. At first, Min-ki seems unlikable as he believes he has the right to gossip on the phone with the lady next door about a TV show, even amidst his child crying, the kettle boiling, and his wife, Bo-ra, working hard to support them while he remains unemployed. He is preoccupied with self-pity, lamenting his lack of luck or ambition. As this emotionally detached man wanders through the park, reading romance novels and shedding tears, CHOI Min Sik gradually explores the ever-changing aspects of his character until he realizes his wife’s infidelity, transforming himself into an embodiment of revenge. Beneath the various costumes, facial expressions, gestures, and acting styles adopted by CHOI Min Sik, the audience witnesses a human burdened with everyday problems and dilemmas. His performance blurs the lines between good and evil, causing us to grapple with whether we should sympathize with or condemn this character. (JANG Byungwon)